Autograph Letters

Pollard's eleven letters: one 12mo (1 p); the other ten 4to (eight 1 p and two 2 pp). The first has a small spike hole affecting one word, otherwise the collection is in good condition. Four docketed and seven bearing the Society's stamp. Pollard was 'Professor of Instrument Design (Mechanical)' (later 'Optical Engineering') at Imperial College, and the correspondence relates to the publication of his 1922 Cantor Lectures to the Society on 'The Mechanical Design of Scientific Instruments'. Emery Walker's two letters: both 12mo, 2 pp (one of 15 and the other of 19 lines).

One page, c.10 x 13cm, creased and dulled but text clear and complete. "Mon cher ami/ Voila tout ce wue j'ai et prenez garde d'egarer ce scenario du second acte - je n'en ai pas d'autre copie et s'il la perdait, je ne pourrai jamais me rappeler un seul mot du contiens.- / Mille [?] tendres amitiés et remerciements de votre aimable billet -"

Two pages, 8vo, good condition. He has sent Gros a brochure "sur l'Instruction publique en australie." Also, on the advice of his editor, Challamel, he has sent Gros his volumes on Indo-China, Caledonia and Australia further to a promise that he would cite them in his studies on "les mouvements geographiques.". He wants to be informed when they have arrived. He is also about to publish another book on Indo-China and one on Caledonia with maps and illustrations.

Letter One (November 1848; folio, 1 p; on discoloured, creased and worn paper): Availing himself of Philippart's 'kind permission to contribute to the U. S. Magazine', Stocqueler is sending 'the commencement of a Historical Sketch' he has 'long meditated writing'. 'A note in this month's Dublin University Mag. has afforded the text - & the pretext'. It 'will be calculated to please the India Office', and will contain 'a good deal of personal sketch'. Addressed on reverse to Philippart at the Magazine's office at 19 Catherine Street, Strand, and docketed by Philippart.

One page each, 8vo, minor stains and creasing, good condition. (1847) He describes a colleague, a "M. de La Roquette", for some years Secretary to the "Societe de geographie". whom he understands to be working on Turkey. "Je me [?] de lui indiquer un ouvrage Special sur Constantinople, son historie, ses monuments . . . " He wishes to avail himself of his correspondent's knowledge of "bibliographie" to help his colleague.

One page, minor staining not affecting text, laid down on grey coarse paper. "Here is the Cape Shipping List [perhaps including slavers?]. It's business-like details of murders by wholesale tell the cold blooded tales of horror more effectually than eloquent language. They [leave?] & lead the mind to imagine the terrible scenes enacted with poetical power which minute detail fails to [word excised "affect"] produce. I admire this brevity - it is inoffensively offensive. / I am grateful to you, my dear Sir, for your care of my daughter - your help to the helpless.

The collection is lightly aged and in good condition. Letter One (12mo, 3 pp), Oxford, 1 November 1827, signed 'W: M.': Begins by saying that he will be pleased to join Charles 'in the Lodging you propose or any other more to your mind - I had not fixed upon any plan, but thought once of being at Ellis's Hotel - (the Colonial Club House, St. James St.) Your proposal, however, I like much better.' He will 'much prefer being in the Regent Street on late Nights in the Ho. of Commons [Manning was also a Member of Parliament], as I found Wimpole St.

One page, 4to, good condition, discussing Claude and explaining the nature of the "Claude mirror" giving insights into his theory of painting.

Two pages, 8vo, good condition. Text as follows: "Non, Monsieur, je ne fonde pas, un journal, mais je sais qu'on m'a demande mon avis au sujet d'un journal qui va je crois se fonder, et j'ai repondre que j'approuvais absolument l'idee; mais la se bornent mes pouvoirs. C'est a Mr le Vicomte [Pinty?], 5 rue Malar (quai d'Orsay) qu'il faut vous adresser. Voyez Monsieur . .

One page, creasing and sunning but text clear and complete, as follows: Cher Monsieur/ Demain ou apres, je doit recevoir chez moi un grand amateur de livres manuscripts, seriez vous assez bon pour remettre au porteur les deux livres Arabes que je vous ai remis il y a quelques temps." Note: A note in another hand states: "Adressée a J.B. Delestre". Perreaux is said to be the inventor of the motorbike (the "motocyclette"). See http://www.moto-perreaux.com/tricycle.htm for information about his steam-driven "velocipede" and other inventions.

One page, minor damage not affecting text, as follows: "D'apres a que vous avez bien voulu dire a mon frère [the eminent engineer Eugène Flachat], je viens vous demander a quelle heure, je poussais avoir l'honneur de vous voir demain dimanche; j'ai toute ma matinée a votre disposition, jusqu'à trois heures. / J'ai l'honneur . . ."

One page, folio, foxed, clipped with some minor loss, but text clear. A request on behalf of "La Citoyenne Nicolle Guiot de St Amand" to be granted a place in L'Hospice des Vieilards ("fauxbourg St Martin"). "Elle a ete jusqu'a present a la charge de ses parens, que les circonstances presentes ne permettent plus de venir a son secours [signature] de St. Amand." This is follwo0ed by the appeal by Le Carpentier on her behalf since he can no longer help her. Notes in the margin in a different hand reveal that Citoyenne St Amand has "a peu pres 200ff[?] de rentes"

One page each, 4to, good condition.

Total 5pp., 8vo, good condition. (1872) Family matters and the election to the Bureau des Longitudes. (1876) He is going to Caen for the "inauguration de la statue de Mr E. de Beaumont". He is unhappy about "le chain fait par l'academie, car il n'a rien de scientifique et il est blessant pour un homme bon et excellent entre tous, votre ami Mr Dancour."

One page, 8vo, text as follows (square brackets when I can't read the Italian): "mova, come le antiche che la [?] a maestro d' sapienza politica e d'arte luminosa, è e [infende?] d'essere [affermazinne?] d'cultura e d'intellectualita. Il chiedere a gran voce l'istituzione d'una universitata italiana d'una universita italiana a Trieste, è [?] [affermaginnne?] d'italianita & d'civita: e nessu no [?] contrastar quella, senza rinnegar questa."

Card, 8 x 6 cm, black border. [Printed] "Duchesse d'Uzès / Douairière" with the autograph message on both sides of the card, "Laissez-moi rire d'abord et ensuite dites-moi ce que je dois lui répondre. Avec toutes mes amitiés."

William IV (1765-1937).Envelope front, c.6 x 3.5", franked “Clarence”, to Herbert Taylor.

American physician and explorer of Africa (1866-1939). The recipient (1830-1914) was Keeper of the Zoological Department at the British Museum, 1875-95, and Vice-President of the Royal Society, 1875-6. Two pages, 12mo. Very good, on slightly discoloured paper with a little light spotting. Traces of previous mount adhering to one edge. He is sending some 'spirit-specimens' from his collection and has written to Sir William Flower 'as to the disposition of the entire collection'.

Dimensions roughly 2.3 x 11.5 cms. On paper with three vertical rules. Reads 'chief Jonathan M. Moshoesh'. Neatly laid down on larger piece of grey paper (roughly 6 x 12 cms), docketed in a contemporary hand 'Basuto chief called Jonathan. He is the biggest chief in Basutoland after "Letsia", the Paramount Chief & next to the throne, being Uncle to "Letsia" who has no heir.' From the reference to childlessness 'Letsia' is clearly Parmount Chief Letsie II Lerotholi, who reigned between 1905 and 1913.

Campaigner against slavery and colonial exploitation in Africa (1874-1940) and Liberal MP for North Hackney, 1923-24. All four items one page, quarto. All in good condition, though on somewhat discoloured paper. Two items docketed in pencil and two bearing the Society's stamp. ITEM ONE: He hopes to be present at Dr. Max Horn's lecture, and wants to know whether the Society is 'publishing the lecture by Mr. Wilson Fox on Imperial Resources'. He thinks he should join the Society, 'if not now soon after the war', and asks to be sent the conditions of membership.

King (1841-1910) of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the British dominions beyond the seas, and emperor of India. The dimensions of the envelope are roughly 5 inches by 3 1/2 inches. Rather grubby and with damage to the flap, which is attached to a larger piece of paper. Carries a stamped one penny Inland Revenue stamp. Reads 'General The Rt. Honble. | Sir Henry Ponsonby K.C.B. | &c &c | Buckingham Palace | London | S.W. | A E', with the 'A E' (standing for 'Albert Edward', Edward VII's name before accession) between two lines.

Very good, on aged and lightly creased paper. Six long letters to family in England written during a turbulent period in South African history. Affectionate, chatty, and written from a lower-middle-class point of view (Florrie: 'we always have an h[ou]r., when I change my dress for the afternoon after dinner'). Mostly dealing with family matters. Letter One (from 'Florrie', 4 September 1898, 'P.O. East London, South Africa', 4to: 4 pp): tells an amusing story about Birt, a cart and a goat. Letter Two (from 'Florrie', 11 September 1898, address as Letter One, 4to: 2 pp).

12mo: 1 p. Fifteen lines of text. Good, on lightly-aged paper. Docketed in a contemporary hand at head. Headed 'Madame'. Asking whether she would be willing to lend her 'admirable talent à une oeuvre d'instruction populaire', a matinée by 'Les membres de la bibliothèque du 17: arrondissement'.

12mo: 1 p. Text clear and entire, on aged and lightly-stained paper. Reads 'Cher ami. | Je vous envois une demande d'admission dans notre société, avec pièces à l'appui que je recommendre à tous vos soins. | Votre bien devoue. | [signed] E Lockroy'. Although attributed to Lockroy in a contemporary hand in pencil at the head of the letter, this document appears to be by a secretary, as the handwriting differs from his (see #6997).

4to: 2 pp. 26 lines. He is totally flattered by the obliging comments of the recipient in sending the first three issues of 'l'Artiste'. Discusses the merits of this 'intéressant ouvrage'. Describes the limited 'coopération' he will be able to provide. 'J'espere ainsi que vous voudrez bien vous contenter de l'envoi que j'ai l'honneur de vous faire de la notice, dernièrement publiée, du musée que je dirige, dont la 1re et la 4e.

4to bifolium: 2 pp, with address on otherwise-blank second leaf. Very good on lightly aged paper. Slight wear to extremities. A significant document, casting light on the relative states of engineering in early nineteenth-century France and England, and the role of the scientist in France at that time.

Dimensions 5 x 9 cm. Good, with traces of glue from previous mounting on blank reverse. Dated in autograph in top right-hand corner. Printed on the card in copperplate is 'Le Père Ollivier | des Frères-Prêcheurs'. Beneath this, in a neat close hand, are four lines in autograph. Despite the fact that he is weighed down by rheumatism, which has paralyzed his right hand, he is writing 'à grand' peine' to wish Madame la Vicomtesse de Sousberghé and family best wishes for a happy new year. 'Ils sont offerte de grand cœur.'

12mo, 2 pp. 22 lines of text. Very good on aged paper. Text clear and entire. Replying on behalf of 'Mlle Lia Duport, ma fille' (who accepts the 'offre flatteuse') and 'Mr. Alizard' (who has not yet returned from Brussells, where he is 'engagé au théâtre de la Monnaie'). If Alizard is available his fee will be the same as Duport's daughter's. States the reduced fee for which his daughter will sing alone, 'Dans le cas où Mr.

12mo: 1 p. Fifteen lines of text. Good, on aged and lightly-creased paper. Minor foxing. Difficult hand. Begins 'Je voudrais avoir cette année la collection des Documents parlementaire qui seront distribué au corps legislatif. | Autrefois j'étais abonné pour une petite somme [...]'.

12mo: 1 p. Good, on lightly creased paper. Reads 'Je remets à Mr Pulin, porteur de la présente, la lettre de Mr Savoye pour l'aider à retirer les exemplaires des médailles et les diplômes donnés à MM les Membres du Jury.' Presumably relating to the awarding of prizes at an industrial exhibition.